It seems that the Army cannot send our Freedom Pens to the Middle East anymore due to a problem involving "Appropriated Funds" which cannot be used to fund the shipping costs associated with delivering our pens. Frustrating to say the least I contacted Congresswoman JoAnn Davis's office and a member of her staff suggested that we ask the Boy Scouts to wash cars to fund our pen shipments
Although they promised to find another source of funding the Post Commanders Office at Fort Eustis has not returned my call in over a month so it seems they have written us off so to speak...Strike Two
A friend of mine who is a retired Navy Chief volunteered to help us out and contacted the Chaplain at the Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown. The Navy is happy to help us out and will take over the responsibility of shipping Freedom Pens to Iraq and Afganistan. I met with Petty Officer Rand yesterday, he wil be my contact and deliver our pens to the Base Post Office personally as a representative of the Weapons Station Chaplains Office.
I just wish I could be there when the Chaplain at Command Central in Irag finds out that his buddies at home could not find it in their hearts to support a program that promotes good will and improves morale for troops in a combat zone. Steaks are continuing to arrive at the Officers Clubs and the golf courses are being kept perfectly groomed but our pens are a problem I guess.
Thanks to the United States Navy for their support of the Freedom Pens Project and those who are serving on the front lines.
Over two thousand pens will be delivered to the Yorktown Naval Weapons Station Chaplains Office Monday afternoon.
Anchors Away